'Now let's do it in South Africa'
24 October 2007
"We did it in Paris - now let's do it in South Africa!"
As South Africa celebrated the return of the Springboks after a triumphant Rugby World Cup campaign, Yvonne Johnston, CEO of the International Marketing Council (IMC), called on South Africans to show the same passionate support for the country's hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
"With the backing of the entire country spurring them on, the Bokke showed the world that South Africa is truly a nation of winners," Johnston said in a statement issued by the IMC, the custodians of Brand South Africa and its slogan, "Alive with Possibility".
"If South Africans rally together and show the optimism, commitment and support as was seen on Saturday night when the Springboks beat the English, we really will host the best World Cup ever," Johnston added.
"If we can do it in Paris, we certainly can do it in South Africa in 2010 - and show the world how 'Alive with Possibility' our country really is."
Fans pack out the airport
Thousands of jubilant South Africans gathered at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday morning to welcome home the Springboks and catch a glimpse of the William Webb Ellis Cup.
Proud fans braved the early morning cold, gathering as early as 3am to welcome back the boys in green and gold as they arrived back in the country from their unbeaten seven weeks in France.
On Saturday the Springboks triumphed over England 15-6 to become world rugby champions once again.
Deputy Sport Minister Gert Oosthuizen, Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa and Tshwane Mayor Gwen Ramokgopa were among a host of dignitaries at the Bok welcoming.
As the Springboks, led by captain John Smit, entered the main arena there was an incredible roar from the crowd, with fans chanting and blowing on vuvuzelas.
'For South Africa's people'
Smit said he was speechless
when asked to describe the emotions he was feeling. "It's something that's taken a lifetime to work for," he said, adding that the welcome was beyond anything they could have imagined.
The captain said his team had just wanted to "bring the cup back to South Africa, to the people who appreciate it the most".
Springbok coach Jake White, South Africa's most capped coach and the only coach to win both the under-21 title and the World Cup, said the most significant moment for him was when the boys hoisted President Thabo Mbeki onto their shoulders at the end of the game.
White's coaching style and differences with Springbok manager Zola Yeye were in the spotlight in the months preceding the World Cup.
'Just go and win the World Cup'
However, the coach told reporters at a press conference shortly after their arrival that Mbeki had told him not to worry about the politics, but rather "just go and win the World Cup".
Coach for the Springboks for over 50 tests, White said that he would "like to take some time off, chat to my bosses and then make the right decision" about his future.
Even before the end of the World Cup, there was speculation that White had been linked to coaching positions in Wales, England, Australia and Argentina.
White said conditioning and defence were crucial to South Africa's unbeaten streak in France, and that veteran prop Os Du Randt and fullback Percy Montgomery were instrumental in providing guidance and leadership to the squad.
Uniting a nation
Deputy Minister Oosthuizen thanked the Boks for "demonstrating the power of sport in its ability to unite a nation."
Yeye said the Springboks left for the World Cup as the underdogs, with so many political statements being made. "However, we had an objective to unite this nation and we made ourselves proud by playing for you."
Meanwhile, Bheki Khumalo of sponsor Sasol said White had retained his job as Springbok coach.
"Although the decision to hire and fire coaches lies with the management of the South African Rugby Union, we at Sasol think it will be totally unnecessary [to remove White as coach]," Khumalo said.
Mbeki is also reported to have expressed his support, during a popular radio programme on Monday, for the view that White should stay on as Springbok coach.
SAinfo reporter and BuaNews
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